Racism Is Stressful
Communities of color in the U.S. know that experiencing macro and micro acts of racism on a daily basis negatively impacts one's health. An NPR piece from last Fall, Scientists Start To Tease Out The Subtler Ways Racism Hurts Health, addresses recent work and findings by medical researchers, including that "black children are about twice as likely as white children to develop asthma."

Psychologists are also studying how racism impacts behavioral health and wellbeing. The American Psychological Association recently released Racism in America, the first video in their new series Facing the Divide: Psychology's Conversation on Race and Health, to "bring psychological science to the conversation regarding the connections among race, racism and health" . In the video psychologists explore how stressors created and maintained by structural and institutional racism affect people of color.

What can we do with this information? Our health and the wellbeing of our communities is a priority for most of us. What if work towards racial justice in our northcoast region recognized that reducing racial inequities in health outcomes needs to include acknowledging the day-to-day stress that people of color face because of racism?

Below are just a few strategies to help reduce racial and cultural bias in our organizations:
  • Evaluate internal processes for identifying, mentoring and advancing talent
  • Create employee resource groups that are supported (and even incentivized), but not led, by leadership
  • Use a racial equity lens to examine job descriptions, how applicants are rated and interviewed, and performance evaluation systems

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The responsibility for the alleviation of race-related stress is not within the individuals who experience it. This is our problem. All of us.
-Jude Bergkamp, Psy.D., MA, LMHC

It's very spiritually challenging over time for people to encounter this kind of stress related to...racial identity. And for our Native American clients we see this impacting them in serious ways, the most present way is in what we call the spiritual wounding, called the soul wound, which is related to inter-generational trauma.
-Art Blume, PhD
October Reading & Watching List
Here is a great link to get you started on having conversations on race with children.

We have compiled a list of books (nonfiction and fiction), TV shows, documentaries, podcasts and feature films that can be read, viewed and enjoyed this Fall.

NONFICTION READING
Amateur: A True Story About What Makes a Man a memoir from Thomas Page McBee

Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice nonfiction essay collection by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha

FICTION READING
Convenience Store Woman novel by Sayaka Murata

The Golden Legend novel by Nadeem Aslam

Little Man, Little Man: A Story of Childhood the only children's book written by James Baldwin, now available via reprint

Housegirl novel by Michael Donkor

TELEVISION
Random Acts of Flyness a surrealist series from filmmaker Terence Nance

I Feel Bad a comedy created by writer Aseem Batra, produced by Amy Poehler

Jane Fonda in Five Acts HBO documentary about the actress and activist

FILM
The Hate U Give feature film based on the novel by Angie Thomas

Colette feature film based on the life of the eponymous French writer

PODCASTS
Ear Hustle a podcast shared and produced by inmates at San Quentin State Prison

Code Switch an NPR podcast on race and identity
EA Roundtable
Intersectionality* and Privilege
Thursday, October 4, 2018 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Have you struggled to find a space to deepen your understanding and conversations about race and racial inequities? The Equity Alliance of the North Coast is sponsoring Racial Equity Roundtables the first Thursday of every month from 5:30-7:30 p.m., offering an opportunity to discuss race in an open and brave space of learning and dialogue for both the newcomer to and the experienced in such conversations. Each month we will explore a different topic. Attendance of previous roundtables is not required.

Please join us as we build our understanding and delve into discussions about how acknowledging our privileges empowers us to use them as tools that help instead of hinder this work. Using short videos, dialogue, and structured exercises on intersectionality and privilege, we will think together on how our racial identities are just one part of our diverse experiences with power and marginalization; and practice respectful strategies to be more inclusive.

Facilitated by Melissa Meiris and Ron White. Register in advance below, space is limited! Low cost options and scholarships are available. Child care is provided by the Equity Alliance.

*Intersectionality refers to the intersection of the multiple identities we all carry (including race, gender, physical or intellectual ability, sexual orientation, age, religion, class etc.) and the degrees of privilege and social marginalization that come with each.
Upcoming Events
Campus & Community Dialogue on Race
Existencia es Resistencia
Existence is Resistance
October 29, 8:00 a.m.-November 2, 9:00 p.m.

*The call for proposals is now open. Final submission deadline is Wednesday, October 3 at 4:00 p.m.*

The Campus & Community Dialogue on Race (CDOR) is an annual event at Humboldt State University that invites students, staff, faculty, administrators, and community members to present and attend programs that relate to racial justice and its intersections with all forms of oppression and resistance. The objective is to create spaces and structures for reflection, analysis, dialogue and positive strategies for change.The program's mission is to promote and facilitate social and environmental change by engaging a diverse range of individuals, communities, and viewpoints to explore the impact of racism and its intersections with all forms of oppression . 

Celebrating the 20th year of CDOR, this year's keynote presenter is Denice Frohman, an award-winning queer Latinx poet, educator, performer, and speaker. The event will also feature Alvin Herring, the new Executive Director of Faith in Action (formerly PICO).

This event is free and open to the public. Please see event page or event flyer below for more information.
The Hand That Feeds
Documentary Film Screening
Thursday, September 27 (6:00-9:00 p.m.)
Film screening and silent auction to benefit North Coast People's Alliance. Followed by a discussion about Humboldt County's Sanctuary Initiative Measure K - Keep Families Together. "Shy sandwich-maker Mahoma Lopez unites his undocumented immigrant coworkers to fight abusive conditions at a popular New York restaurant chain. The epic power struggle that ensues turns a single city block into a battlefield in America's new wage wars." At the Arcata Theater Lounge, tickets are $8. See event link below for more information or to buy tickets.
Pride with a Purpose
Community Festival Parade & Pride Night
Saturday, September 29
Redwood Pride is proud to announce the details of their all-day, three-part event. Bring your friends and family out for the entire day, or join in for a few hours of fun. There's something for everyone and all are welcome. Pride is an important event for LGBTQ+ people and supportive allies that is built on the foundations of inclusivity, hope, and acceptance for everyone in our community. Redwood Pride endeavors to continue raising awareness, increasing visibility, promoting local resources and aid, as well as celebrating the extensive and significant history of Pride.
Community Festival at the Jefferson Center in Eureka 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Pride Parade Downtown Eureka 4:00 p.m.
Pride Night at the Historic Eagle House 5:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
The Practice of Honoring Diversity with Lee Mun Wah
Wednesday, October 3 (9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)
The Humboldt Workforce Development Board is pleased to extend this invitation to the community of Humboldt County. Lee Mun Wah is an internationally renowned Chinese American documentary filmmaker, author, poet, Asian folkteller, educator, community therapist and master diversity trainer. Thousands of people from government and social service agencies, corporations and educational institutions have taken Lee Mun Wah’s workshops and partnered with Stirfry Seminars & Consulting on their diversity initiatives. Lee has been featured on Oprah, TED Talks and the movie the Color of Fear. This event is in Room A at the Sequoia Conference Center in Eureka.
Registration is required for this free event. RSVP to Allison Tans at altans@co.humboldt.ca.us
Lost Coast Fest
From October 5 at 12:00 p.m. to October 7 at 10:00 p.m.
A multi-day all ages D.I.Y. music and arts fest featuring 30+ touring and local bands, workshops and panel discussions, film screenings and more. Benefit for the RAVEN Project and Centro del Pueblo. Presented by the Breakfast All Day Collective, events will take place at Outer Space Arcata, Arcata Theatre Lounge and Arcata Veterans Hall. Email lostcoastfest@gmail.com with any questions or visit event site for more information.
16th Annual CASA Kid Walk
Saturday, October 6 (6:00-8:00 p.m.)
Calling all people who want to make Humboldt a better place for children! You are invited to join the Kid Walk and raise money to support foster children in our community. Every penny you raise helps a foster child in Humboldt County have a better chance to find a safe, loving home. At the Kid Walk supporters will gather for an awards ceremony, then take off on a one-mile parade through Old Town during Arts Alive. Then the Kid Walk parade will end at the Inn at 2nd & C for refreshments and festivities. Visit event website to register or for more information.
HCOE Equity Summit
Monday & Tuesday, October 22-23 (9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.)
The Equity Summit presented by the Humboldt County Office of Education will explore local tribal perspectives, social justice in education, implicit bias, homelessness, special education inclusion, supporting immigrant families, racial equity, and more. The Summit is being held in the Sequoia Conference Center at HCOE. Event registration is $50 and includes lunch materials. Please see flyer below for more information or visit my.hcoe.net to register.
Diversity Day
Saturday, October 27
(9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)

We Are Your Community and The Campus and Community Dialogue on Race present the second Diversity Day at the Arcata Farmer's Market. More than 15 organizations will be tabling at the event. Please come for community engagement, cultural sharing, kids activities and more! If you have questions, want more information or your organization is interested in tabling, please email weareyourcommunityarcata@gmail.com.
Unmet Transit Needs Public Hearings
September 26-October 18
Does your regional and local transit service address specific cultural or language needs? Do they need to know about how service could be more racially inclusive? Whether you ride daily, occasionally, or haven’t tried transit yet, the Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) invites your comments about taking the bus or dial-a-ride and unmet transit needs that may exist in Humboldt County. Please provide your thoughts by attending an Unmet Transit Needs Public Hearing. The first public hearing is scheduled for September 26, 2018 and the final public hearing is scheduled for October 18, 2018. If you’re unable to attend a hearing, but would like to provide your comments, please contact HCAOG at 707-444-8208. HCAOG is receiving comments through November 30, 2018.
  Email equitynorthcoast@hafoundation.org to share upcoming events you know about related to racial equity and we will post it on our website!
Equity Alliance of the North Coast| Humboldt Area Foundation | (707) 442-2993 | equitynorthcoast.org |equitynorthcoast@hafoundation.org
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